Apple iPad Air

Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

The good: It delivers more performance and comparable battery life in an attractive and impossibly thin-and-light package. An improved front-facing camera makes FaceTiming look better, and the Retina Display still looks great.

The bad: The Touch ID fingerprint scanner, introduced on the iPhone 5S, is sadly absent here, meaning you'll still have to type in a pass code with every unlock and a password with every purchase. Starting at $499 for 16 GB, it's still expensive compared with the competition.

The cost: $466 to $500

The bottom line: Functionally, the Apple iPad Air is nearly identical to last year's model, offering only faster performance and better video chatting. But factor in design and aesthetics, and the iPad Air is on another planet. It's the best full-size consumer tablet on the market.

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9

Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

The good: This is a performance monster that speeds through websites and navigation at a frantic pace. Its screen is impressively sharp and its body amazingly light for a larger tablet. The Mayday feature gives personal and near-instant customer service. Some small but smart additions to the interface lead to a simple, welcoming experience.

The bad: The remote video viewing feature wasn't ready, and ad-free versions cost an extra $15. The 16 GB of space runs out quickly when storing HD movies, and there's no built-in storage expansion. Lack of Google Play access means many apps aren't available. The buttons on the back are sometimes hard to find.

The cost: $379 to $394

The bottom line: With everything that was great about the HDX 7 and more, the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 isn't just a great value, it sets the standard for a media-consumption tablet.

Google Nexus 10

Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The good: It has a beautifully sharp screen. The tablet is light and durable, and has the fastest processor of any Android tablet. Photo Sphere is an incredibly cool concept. Google's content is only getting better.

The bad: The included charger isn't fast enough to power the battery while playing a game; even while idle, it charges painfully slowly. There's no storage expansion option, and apps that take full advantage of the screen are few and far between. Navigating isn't quite as seamless as on the Nexus 7.

The cost: $399

The bottom line: The Nexus 10's durable design, consistent updates, and good performance make it one of the best Android tablets to date.

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet

Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The good: The processor is searingly powerful and copes well with games. It has a bright, vivid display, and its razor-thin body can be taken in the shower without worry.

The bad: It loses its battery charge far too quickly in standby mode. Huge bezels around the display don't look good and make the body needlessly big, and its slim design has resulted in the whole thing being a little flexible.

The cost: $500

The bottom line: While battery life is a concern, the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is still a good-looking slate that's loaded with more than enough power for anything you're likely to throw at it. It's a good choice if you're looking for a more affordable iPad alternative with 4G LTE - particularly if you've ever lost a gadget through water damage.